MINERAL BENEFICIATION
PORTFOLIO COMMITTEE ON TRADE AND INDUSTRY
19 JUNE 2020
CONTENTS1. POLICY CONTEXT
2. 2019 SITUATIONAL ANALYSIS
3. KEY CHALLENGES
4. RE-IMAGINED INDUSTRIAL STRATEGY
5. BENEFICIATION POLICY INTERVENTIONS
6. PLATINUM BASED FUEL CELLS
7. ENERGY STORAGE: LOCAL BATTERY MANUFACTURING
8. MINING EQUIPMENT
9. OTHER BENEFICIATION PROJECTS
10. IRON AND STEEL VALUE CHAIN
11. POLYMER VALUE CHAIN
12. CONCLUSION
2
DELEGATION
Mr Lionel October
Director-General: Department of Trade, Industry and Competition (the dtic)
Ms Thandi Phele
Acting Deputy Director-General: Industrial Competitiveness and Growth Branch
Dr Umeesha Naidoo
Director: Primary Minerals and Processing
3
ABBREVIATIONS
• MPRDA - Mineral Petroleum Resources Development Act
• PPPFA - Preferential Procurement Policy Framework
• DMRE – Department of Mineral Resources and Energy
• DSI – Department of Science and Innovation
• IDC – Industrial Development Corporation
• DOT – Department of Transport
• DPE – Department of Public Enterprises
• HySA – Hydrogen South Africa
• PGM – Platinum Group Metals
• RDI – Research Development and Innovation
• IDZ – Industrial Development Zone
• EL - East London
• NW – North West
• tpa – tons per annum
4
1. POLICY CONTEXT
South Africa’s richest mineral endowment: the country has the largest share of the world’splatinum & manganese and large shares of chrome, vanadium reserves - currently estimated ataround US$ 2.5 trillion.
The comparative advantage from a national resource endowment has not been fully leveragedto build a dynamic industrial economy - the backward, forward and side stream linkages.
Value addition/ beneficiation is not a new phenomenon Mineral Energy Complex (theestablishment of Iscor, Sasol, Aluminium and Ferrochrome smelters, etc.) as a key evolution ofSA’s industrial development was backed by certain policy choices.
What are the key policies driving beneficiation: Mineral Petroleum Resources Development Act (MPRDA); Mining Charter; SA Beneficiation Strategy; the dtic role.
5
2. 2019 SITUATIONAL ANALYSIS Mining production 1,3% lower in 2019 than 2018, which was 2,1% lower
than 2017, 8% of GDP (down from 15% in 1990).
Employment declined by 70,000 people to currently about 464,000.
SA accounted for 1% of total global exploration expenditure (14% forCanada & Australia, 13% for the rest of Africa).
Top three mineral sales - coal, platinum group metals & gold.
High rhodium & palladium prices - strict emission laws, more petrolfewer diesel engines, platinum impacted by electric vehicles.
2019 World demand for coal fell – countries opt for renewables.
Iron-ore prices increased due to shortages.
Increased metal substitution and recycling.
Megatrends: digitalisation, decarbonisation creating new demand;
Demand for battery metals driven by the battery revolution;
Opportunities for fuel cells.
The integration of advanced mining technology to remain competitive.
Social, investor & regulatory pressure to reduce environmental impact.
6
3. KEY CHALLENGES
How does SA leverage the comparative advantage from a national resource endowment tobuild a dynamic industrial economy.
Supportive policy and legislative regime for domestic value-addition is key.
Input prices of key minerals and metals places local manufacturers at a disadvantageousposition relative to foreign manufacturers, especially considering their competitiveadvantages in other factors of production.
SA beneficiation dependent on energy intensive stages of smelting and refining impacted byincreases in electricity prices.
Mining equipment imports. Local supply of inputs (capital goods, consumables and services )along the minerals value chain (especially upstream), presents a massive opportunity for theSA economy.
Significant decline in technology, research & development in SA over last 20 years.
Transport and logistics costs – pricing, layout/network and operations of logisticsinfrastructure favourable for raw material exports but expensive, inefficient and inadequate
for value added goods and local beneficiators.
7
4. RE-IMAGINED INDUSTRIAL STRATEGY
POTENTIAL IMPACT: Significant R&D, technology and capability applications, increased exports,employment.
Judicious use of export taxes, to support beneficiation & protect infrastructure (scrap metal).
Policy Coordination to unlock downstream beneficiation opportunities.
Enhance our sustainable local manufacturing sector for platinum based fuel cells and their sub-components:
– Fuel cell initiative will contribute significantly to job creation, skills and technologydevelopment;
– Improved environmental conditions through reduced water consumption and a reducedcarbon footprint, including energy security.
Develop a local battery manufacturing industry to support utility-scale & automotive energystorage.
Rejuvenation of the Iron Ore and Steel Beneficiation Value Chain.
Rejuvenation of the Polymer Beneficiation Value Chain.
8
5. POLICY INTERVENTIONS
OBJECTIVES POLICY/PROGRAMME LEVERS
Ensure security of supply at competitive prices for local manufacturers
DMRE License conditions, MPRDACompetition Commission, ITAC and NT for export taxesDPE/DOT – ports/rail access and expansion aligned to objectives
Support new investments with incentives, industrial finance
IDCDTIC – Black Industrialists programme, SEZs
Localisation and supplier development
NT– Preferential Procurement Policy Framework (PPPFA) and designations to meet objective for public procurementDMRE– Mining CharterDPE and DOT – Shareholder instructions and compactsDTIC – Designation, B-BBEE codes
Accelerate mining capital equipment exports to Africa
DTIC – Export Councils and initiatives to promote exports
R&D, technology development DSI – Technology support programmes
Electricity, rail, port tariffs DPE – rail and port tariffsDMRE – short and long term framework for energy intensive users
9
6. PLATINUM-BASED FUEL CELLS
South Africa has more than 80% of the world’splatinum (Pt) reserves.
Largest platinum mining companies in SA.
Large employer and export revenue generator.
Support the long term sustainability and growth of theindustry.
Industry is threatened by future decline in combustionengine vehicles.
New applications and markets for platinum groupmetals (PGM’s) that can transform the industry beyondthe current dependence on demand from catalyticconverter.
Objective: To create a sustainable local manufacturingsector for Pt based fuel cells and its sub-componentsby beneficiating SA PGM minerals through appropriatemechanisms that can support a local and globalmarket.
Fuel Cell opportunity for SA
– increased PGM demand, mining growth
– mineral beneficiation
– transition to clean energy (climate change and GHG commitments)
Source: 2017 statistics, DMR
10
6. PLATINUM-BASED FUEL CELLS
11
6. FUEL CELL FOCUS AREAS
Telecommunication and rural
Over 300 units deployed at Vodacom off-grid sites.
SA currently has the second largestdeployment of fuel cells in Telecoms andpotential to grow.
SSA – > 60 million households.
Mobility (busses, trucks, mining equipment)
Most realistic market for early adoption.
Fuel cells offer an technical advantage forheavy vehicles, extend the range of electricvehicles.
Cost comparable over conventionaltechnologies over long.
Project well underway for development of fuel cell manufacturing facilities in Dube Trade Port to service existing and new telco customers in 2020
Project supported by Critical Infrastructure Programme and NIP to commercialise fuel cell membrane manufacture
Green Hydrogen Transport Program (Green Fund)
Planned transportation initiatives with mines, major bus and truck fleet owners
Local bus company developing a hybrid solution (battery with fuel cell range extender) for busses
Roadmap in collaboration with Gautrain who have purchased busses that can be retro-fitted with battery/fuel cell system
12
7. ENERGY STORAGE: LOCAL BATTERY MANUFACTURING Mineral based green energy solutions
are gaining momentum driven by theglobal response to Climate Change andGreen House Gas commitments.
Vanadium, lithium, cobalt, manganese,nickel and rare-earths are sought aftermetals in the battery materials market.
Given SA and the regions resources ofthese minerals, projects are beingpursued by government, the IDC andindustry.
Focus areas – stationery/utility andmobility application: Vanadium redox flow batteries;
Nickel Sulphate material for lithium-ionbatteries;
Manganese precursor projects forlithium-ion batteries.
MINE METAL PRECURSOR BATTERY
8 million litre vanadium electrolyte manufacturing
plant in the EL IDZ –supported by the IDC
- The plant will process vanadium oxide from
South Africa and use other locally
manufactured reagents (e.g. sulphuric acid)
- Plan to start production by end of 2020
- Precursor for vanadium redox flow batteries
25 000 tpa pure nickel sulphate plant supported
by the Black Industrialist Programme
- The plant will process nickel by-product from
platinum mining producing battery grade
material in Brits, NW for export market
- Mintek propriety process
- The construction of the plant is complete and
production expected to commence in 2020/21
13
8. OTHER BENEFICIATION PROJECTS
MANGANESE Manganese Metal company beneficiates ore and supplies local steel mills and global battery market. Potential Manganese precursor and battery manufacturing facility in Coega IDZ.
TITANIUM Planned titanium dioxide pigment manufacturing in Richards Bay IDZ supported by the dtic
Critical Infrastructure Programme. 80 000 tpa of titanium dioxide pigment for local and export markets utilising Highveld stock-
piled discarded material.─ The project involves the construction of a Technical Development Centre which will
house Nyanza’s research & development labs, pilot and demonstration plant in 2020.─ The construction of the titanium dioxide pigment manufacturing plant, will commence in
2022.RARE EARTHS
IDC in collaboration with Mintek is undertaking the Mine-to-Magnet (“M2M”) value chain pre-feasibility study for the manufacturing of rare-earth magnets in SA for the global automotivemarket.
14
9. MINING EQUIPMENT
Strong backward and forward linkages, high levels of value add, productivity levels and labourintensive.
South African firms are competitive, significant technological capabilities and exports inmineral processing equipment, off-road specialised equipment, pumps, valves and conveyorsystems.
SADC countries produce two-thirds of Africa’s mineral exports by value. South Africa’s miningsector is currently the largest on the continent, and largest for underground miningequipment.
Imports grew from 2009 to 2018, SA imported US$ 3.5 bn of mining and machineryequipment in 2018 and SADC US$ 7.5 bn.
Interventions include:
Localisation and supplier development;
Cluster programs;
Local content verification;
Export roadmap.
15
10. STEEL CONTEXT
• The beneficiation of South Africa’s raw materials is a major thrust of its industrial policy andlinkages can be strengthened by developing manufacturing capabilities throughout the steelsupply chain.
• Scope for development within the steel supply chain can be found between mining, construction,infrastructure, automotive, packaging and capital equipment.
• Due to the enormous backward and forward linkages, the value chain is central to anyindustrialisation path and is a key driver of competitiveness.
• The carbon- and stainless-steel fabrication sector is fundamental to manufacturing in SA, withproducts and applications used across the entire economy.
• Re-imagined industrial strategy – prioritises steel value chain.
16
10. STEEL INTERVENTIONSCURRENT INTERVENTIONS STATUS
• Designations and Localisation
• Steel Competitiveness Fund
• SARS Reference Price System
• Flat steel pricing
• Trade Policy (tariffs and trade remedy)
• Maintain strategic capability
• Undeemed primary steel in the early rounds of designations to encourage the use of locally manufactured primary steel.
• All major steel intensive products are designated under the PPPFA • Localisation potential in rail, water and mining projects. Highveld rail capability to
supply mainline rail.
• Established a R1.5 bn Fund in 2017 to support upgrading, working capital requirements, investments and key downstream steel sectors in distress
• To address low priced imports and inter-agency working group established to tackle illegal trade
• Agreement in 2017 - flat steel is priced appropriately for steel-dependent industries to be competitive while ensuring that the upstream steel mills remain sustainable
• Increase in the general rate of customs duty on primary steel products to 10% and safeguard measures on hot rolled coil and plate products
• Tariff increases on downstream products to the bound rates; trade remedies; deployment of rebates on products not manufactured or value added before export
• Highveld Steel intervention saved a major industrial complex and intervention in Scaw to maintain strategic capability in primary steel, grinding media and cast products for rail and mining 17
10. PROPOSED EXPORT TAX ON SCRAP METALS
Government has and continues to put in place measures to support the beneficiation and availability ofaffordable scrap metal to foundries and mills.
A Price Preference System (PPS) administered by ITAC has been in place since 2013 regulating the exportationof ferrous and non-ferrous scrap, not allowing the exportation of scrap metal unless it has first been offered todomestic consumers.
Commitment to an export tax on scrap metal was announced during the 2019 Job Summit to improve theavailability of better-quality scrap metal at affordable prices for domestic foundries and mills.
An independent impact assessment was done on the export tax and found a significant net benefit. ITACcompleted its review of the export tax and recommended its implementation.
A Price Preference System has been extended up until December 2020.
Export tax was announced by Minister Tito Mboweni during the 2020 Budget Speech, implementationmodalities are being finalised. Industry/public consultation processes will be in 2 phases: The first phase was initiated by NT but is delayed due to COVID-19; The second phase will commence with the publication of the Taxation Laws Amendment Bill.
18
10. STEEL & METAL FABRICATION SECTOR MASTER PLAN PROCESS
• Engagements have been held with industry in developing the existing interventions provided to thesteel value chain.
• We continue to partner with labour and industry in the development of the Masterplan and socialcompact – Phase 1 to be completed within this financial year:
– The Masterplan aims to support the medium to long-term growth, development andsustainability of the value chain;
– Turnaround action-oriented plan based on identified competitiveness improvements, measuresto increase demand, reduce levels of imports and reposition the industry to be resilient underthe intense global pressures;
– Through the masterplan process, action plans and reciprocal commitments to be secured andimplemented with business and labour in stages, in order to move with the requisite urgency toboost growth and support job retention in the value chain.
19
11. POLYMER BENEFICIATIONIn SA, SASOL produces polymers (polypropylene and polyethylene) from natural gas and coal.
Polymers are beneficiated into plastics, widely used in various sectors presenting opportunities
Key Projects
Polypropylene compounding facility which will be supplying Volkswagen South Africa has
established.
Designation of Plastics Pipes that came into effect in September 2019.
Localisation of essential PPEs like body bags, bio-hazard bags, face shield, aprons etc.
New Fuel tank manufacturing production for Mercedes Benz secured.
Polypropylene beneficiation applications in other sub-sectors like non-woven , white goods
interior ready for feasibility studies by IDC & Sasol.
A draft Plastics Masterplan has been developed through a social compact with the intention of
securing reciprocal commitments: to be completed within this financial year.
A risk engine with SARS & the Industry Body has been developed to deal with mis-declaration,
under-invoicing.
20
12. CONCLUDING REMARKS
In various minerals, the stages of value addition vary in technology, capital and energyintensities and know-how and product markets as well as employment intensity.
Each stage can provide enormous competitive advantages in the forward linkages andcontribute to building a dynamic and competitive manufacturing sector.
To fully leverage the opportunities in each stage, government must create an enablingenvironment through supportive policy, legislative regime (energy, transport, trade policies)and targeted industrial financing support.
Beneficiation embodies long-term programmes that require a committed private sector withdevelopmental interests to invest for the long-haul.
21
THANK YOU
22